Seahawks land All-SEC defender who inexplicably went undrafted as key free agent signing
Context:
Jared Ivey, a standout All-SEC pass rusher, surprisingly went undrafted despite his impressive college performance, but has signed with the Seattle Seahawks as a key free agent acquisition. Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 274 pounds, Ivey boasts significant physical attributes and recorded notable statistics in 2024, including 7.0 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 42 tackles, and two forced fumbles. Before his time at Ole Miss, where he played three seasons, Ivey began his college career at Georgia Tech. Although one mock draft projected him as a fourth-round pick, he was not selected in the over 250 draft picks, allowing the Seahawks to secure him for their 3-4 defense. With experienced teammates like DeMarcus Lawrence, Uchenna Nwosu, Boye Mafe, and Derrick Hall, Ivey has the opportunity to develop under strong mentorship and prove himself in the NFL.
Dive Deeper:
Jared Ivey, who made the All-SEC as a pass rusher, went undrafted, which is unusual for a player of his caliber, but he has now been signed by the Seattle Seahawks as a key free agent.
Ivey is an imposing physical presence at 6-foot-6 and 274 pounds, and he demonstrated outstanding performance in 2024 by achieving 7.0 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 42 tackles, and forcing two fumbles.
His college career began with two seasons at Georgia Tech before transferring to Ole Miss, where he continued to excel as a defensive player.
Despite expectations set by a mock draft from DraftCountdown.com, which predicted him to be a fourth-round pick, Ivey remained undrafted through over 250 picks, leading to his acquisition by the Seahawks.
The Seahawks' 3-4 defense, which recently added DeMarcus Lawrence as an edge rusher, provides Ivey with a promising environment alongside experienced players like Uchenna Nwosu, Boye Mafe, and Derrick Hall.
This setup gives Ivey a chance to learn from seasoned professionals, turning what could have been a disappointing draft experience into an opportunity for a successful NFL career.
Billy Heyen, a freelance writer and 2019 graduate of Syracuse University, covers sports for The Sporting News and has published work in various newspapers.
Jared Ivey somehow made All-SEC as a pass rusher and then went undrafted.
That's not normally how it works, but the Seattle Seahawks aren't complaining.
They reached an agreement with Ivey to join their squad, and he'll have a legitimate shot to make the team.
Ivey is an absolute physical specimen at 6-foot-6 and 274 pounds.
He had solid numbers to match in 2024, putting up 7.0 sacks and 11 total TFLs with 42 tackles and two forced fumbles.
The year before, Ivey made 12 tackles for loss with 5.5 sacks.
He began his college career with two seasons at Georgia Tech before three more at Ole Miss.
One mock draft put together by DraftCountdown.com had Ivey going in the fourth round.
Instead, Ivey made it all the way through the 250-plus picks without being chosen.
The Seahawks' 3-4 defense just picked up DeMarcus Lawrence as an edge rusher. They also have the established Uchenna Nwosu, Boye Mafe and Derrick Hall.
Those are all great players for Ivey to learn from. If he can stick around, he'll have a chance at multiple strong mentors that can help him turn this draft weekend slight into a strong NFL career.
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